August 20, 2020 by

Niagara County LGBTQ Group to Hold School Supplies Drive

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By: Reporter Staff

For the next two weeks, Niagara County Pride – a program of The Pride Center of WNY – will be collecting backpacks and other school supplies to help kids in need this year. The group’s goal is to collect 50 backpacks filled with supplies to be able to give to local children.

According to Ronald Piaseczny, Niagara County Pride’s Group Leader, “2020 has been a very challenging year for many families and children. There are a lot of families in WNY who are financially struggling as a result of the COVID pandemic or other factors. We recognize that the school year is going to look a lot different, with more virtual instruction, social distancing, and other safety precautions in place. We hope that by being able to provide school supplies to kids this year, we are able to take some burden off those families who might not be able to afford to buy all the supplies their children need.”

Donation drop off locations and times are as follows:

Sunday, August 23, 2020 from 10am to 12pm at Hyde Park in Niagara Falls, NY near the Veterans Memorial. Please look for the rainbow Pride flag and our banner at the donation drop off table.

Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 10am to 12pm on Canal Street in Lockport, NY next to Lake Effect Ice Cream. Please look for the rainbow Pride flag and our banner at the donation drop off table.

Over the past several years, Niagara County Pride has served as the only LGBTQ+ social organization for all of Niagara County, NY.

Piaseczny said. “We have hosted several successful and free events which have been open to all LGBTQ and ally community members in WNY, including a mass wedding ceremony in Niagara Falls State Park and Pride Street Festival (June 2019), an annual Pride Summer Picnic, an annual all-inclusive Thanksgiving dinner.

“Our monthly meetings have served as an important community resource for individuals to be able to have a safe space and accepting place to meet one another, share our stories, and build lasting connections. Currently, we are holding virtual online meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month.”

For more information on meetings or to donate, contact Piaseczny via email at niagarapride@gmail.com.